Tuesday, March 31. 2009

Autodesk Labs Updates Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD 2010 Family

Scott Sheppard reports on Labs' blog, that a new version is available for the newly released AutoCAD 2010 family of products (it also supports 2009 and 2008 versions). The functionality remains the same:

It allows you to import a Google Earth image into AutoCAD, publish your 3D model to Google Earth, drape a Google Earth image onto a 3D mesh in AutoCAD, and attach time span information to your model.

Q: Why the interest in "How Web 2.0 are you?"

There's been lots of buzz on Twitter about Allan LaFramboise's presentation from the ESRI dev summit titled, "GeoWeb Development: How Web 2.0 are you?"now posted on Slideshare. I found the results of survey of how developers perceived the value of tools like RSS and blogs and podcasts very interesting and I'm pleased ESRI is sharing the results. The details are interesting to me because I'm involved in publishing using those tools and technologis.

It's an interesting presentation for sure. What exactly about it fuels the buzz? The pretty graphics? The review of the survey? The list of sources? The homework? Something else?

Air Quality GIS for Denmark

A new report (pdf) details the development and content of a Danish national GIS-based road network and traffic data base for 1960-2005. The system developed by the National Environmental Research Institute (NERI), Aarhus University, includes a road network and traffic data base and can calculate air quality levels at any address in Denmark for any period during 1960-2005. It's called AirGIS.

- Announcement

Quote of the Week

"BofA is one of a small but growing group of marketers that have figured out that mobile marketing isn't about advertising. That's not to say mobile advertising will play no part, but that mobile, like most things digital, is not a channel so much as a way consumers live their lives and, consequently, a way marketers have to conduct their business."

- Rita Change writing in AdAge. She goes on to note BofA's early efforts in mobile banking and how indeed one in eight users of the mobile banking app use the ATM finder on their mobiles.

Mobile Patient Communcator - A PDA for the Patient During Doctor Visits

How does this sound to you?

Once registered, patients are notified of their exam room availability and provided a digital map with step-by-step directions. After unescorted self-rooming, they receive updates on their doctor's status. A large family medicine clinic at a nationally ranked healthcare provider is currently testing the MPC self-rooming application.

The Mobile Patient Communicator also provides videos and health quizzes while the patient waits. The device works based on wireless networks.

The developer, International Medical Solutions, says the device frees up nurses from "rooming patients" so they can spend more time with patients. I know in my/my Dad's healthcare world nurses don't to the escorting; it's the assistants who do the rooming and also take your temperature and blood pressure.

Based on the mazes I've followed in hospitals, I confess I'd rather have a personal escort and I really want my Dad to have one!

- press release

WV On the Way to Using Ag. Extension Agents to Map Cemeteries

The bill passed the state's house and moves to the senate. Proponents suggest the work could also be done by 4-Hers. Many small cemeteries are falling into disrepair or are being squeezed out by timber, mining, development and other demands.

Daily Mail